The Timbers acquired the homegrown rights to Gallego from the New York Red Bulls as part of a trade in December. The defender was a member of the Red Bulls Academy from 2007-11.

The 20-year-old defender was a standout at the University of Akron. As a junior in 2013, Gallego helped anchor one of the best defenses in the country.

Gallego played for the Timbers under-23 team in 2013, appearing in ten matches and earning the Timbers under-23 player of the year award. The five-foot-ten defender has also played for the U.S. under-20 and under-18 national teams.